by Jill Shalvis
From his vantage point on the cold floor, all Stone could see was a set of long legs running toward him.
Great legs, he thought woozily.
“Stone!” Cindy dropped to her knees on the concrete beside him. “Oh, my God, what happened?”
He tried to smile. Tried to whisper her name, but nothing came out except a horrible gasping breath.
Well, at least he wasn’t about to suffocate, he thought, as his vision faded to black.
“Stone!” Jenna cried.
There was no response. He only slumped further, and Jenna’s heart nearly jerked right out of her chest.
She leaped to her feet, searching desperately for a phone so she could call for help. The saw screeched, driving her crazy, but she didn’t have a clue how to turn the thing off.
“Cindy...”
She found the phone base, but the portable was missing from it. Dammit. Whipping around, she searched the cluttered countertop, ready to run out into the street screaming for help if the phone didn’t materialize.
“Cindy...”
It took her a minute, for she still wasn’t used to that horrible name, and on top of that, the saw still roared.
“Cindy...”
The weak voice finally penetrated her panic. It was Stone.
Racing back, she hunkered down, wrapping an arm around him for support. “Don’t move,” she ordered, wishing she knew more first aid.
Stone slowly pulled himself up to his hands and knees—one hand clutching his stomach.
“Stone?” Propping him up with her shoulder, she bore most of his weight. With her free hand she cupped his face and tilted it up, waiting until his eyes fluttered open. They were glassy—oh God, didn’t that mean something bad? A concussion? “I’m calling an ambulance,” she told him. “Soon as I find your phone.”
The glistening in his eyes got stronger. His face, looking drawn and tight with pain, flushed. “No.”
He wheezed when he breathed. Under her hand, his bunched back muscles flexed. She could feel him tremble. “Oh, this is ridiculous!” she cried. “Where is your phone!”
His jaw set determinedly, which in a calmer moment she would have recognized as pure stubbornness, but panic had taken over. “Stone!”
He glared at her. “Over there...on left side of the saw...”
Leaping up, Jenna looked and looked, but on the left side of the saw she saw nothing but a black switch.
“Hit...it. Turn off...the damn saw.”
Exasperated, she hit the switch as he’d requested, and the shop fell blessedly silent.
Stone sank back to the floor, silent and still, and Jenna’s heart stopped.
Terrified, she skidded back around the counter and again dropped to her knees beside him. “No,” she whispered, draping herself over his broad back and hugging him tight. Just touching him like this, holding his big warm body, had memories slamming into her: Stone laughing, Stone making her laugh.
Stone caring for her, when no one else did. What if she had lost him now, before she told him the truth? “No,” she whispered again, squeezing him hard, fear overriding all else.
He groaned. “Don’t,” he gasped in a strangled voice when she inadvertently squeezed again. He pushed himself away from her and back up on his knees.
He didn’t want her to touch him, and forgetting for a minute that he had no idea who she really was, Jenna felt a deep self-loathing; she couldn’t blame him for not wanting her to be near him. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Grimacing, he wrapped his arms around his middle. “You don’t understand.”
“Yes, I do. You don’t want me to touch you.”
He laughed shortly, then winced, trying to hold both his head and his belly at the same time. “God, that hurt. That damn two-by-four kicked back at me with enough power to stop a locomotive.” He wobbled a minute, then pushed himself to a standing position and groaned again. “Never even saw it coming.” Carefully, as if testing, he drew a breath. Apparently satisfied, he pierced her with his gaze. “Now come here.”
Not waiting for her to move, he snaked a hand out and grabbed her wrist, tugging her close. He ran his hands up her arms, then slowly back down. Grasping her hips, he pulled her closer, then closer still, until they were only a fraction of an inch from an embrace.
Gruffly he said, “I didn’t mean I didn’t want you to touch me. I want that, Cindy. I want it badly.” He rubbed his ribs. “But I hurt like hell, and much as I regret asking you not to hug me, you were squeezing too hard.”
She closed her eyes in embarrassment, but she was just so relieved he was okay. “Oh.”
His eyes gleamed with something far more than pain. There was warmth and affection, just waiting for her to take it. As she watched, it deepened into something more like...hunger. For her. She would have taken a step back from what she saw there, but she had to be able to breathe to move, and at the moment, she couldn’t draw any air at all.
“I’m feeling...a bit better.”
“I’m glad,” she managed. His hands on her hips were making her knees weak again, and she couldn’t hold back the memories of other times, other places, when he’d had those big knowing hands on her, how he’d made her feel like the most important woman on earth.
He was doing it again, with little to no effort, and this time, for the first time, her head was in the right place. She could only imagine how wonderful it would be now to make love with him.
He ducked his head a bit to stare into her lowered gaze. “That thought you just had, the one that’s making you blush.” He arched his brows. “Mind sharing?”
Her face felt hotter. “I don’t think so. No.”
“Chicken.”
“All right, if you must know, I was thinking about how scared I was, watching you crumble like that.”
“I just had the air knocked out of me, that’s all. And that’s not what you were thinking.”
“Okay, I was thinking of getting you to a hospital.”
His sharp gaze told her he didn’t believe a word of that excuse, either. “I don’t need a doctor, but thanks.”
“Yes, you do, your head...”
“It’s fine,” he assured her, rubbing his chest “But this hurts. What do you have for this?”
“I thought it was your stomach.”
His gaze deepened, his body, his big, warm body, leaned closer. “It was. But my heart hurts like hell. What are you doing to me?”
Oh, she couldn’t face this. The tenderness, the caring... it was going to tear her apart. She didn’t deserve it, and he deserved so much more.
“Your ribs,” she said desperately. “You might have cracked something. You need—”
“You,” he said. “I need you.” And he kissed her, a deep searching kiss.
Chapter 5
Jenna’s response to Stone’s kiss was primal and instinctive, because she needed him, too. Needed him with everything she had. Her eyes drifted closed, and though her fear for him didn’t fade, she loosened her grip on him enough to lightly touch his chest. He was okay. She drowned in the knowledge, and a swirling heat that worked its way from deep inside her, spreading to her limbs until she thought she would spontaneously combust. “You’re really okay.”
“Yes.”
She hadn’t realized she’d spoken her desperate worry out loud until he reassured her.
Stone’s hands fueled the fire as they slid up her body, over her ribs, grazing the sides of her breasts, then cupped her face. Tilting her head for better access, he nibbled her mouth, making her whimper for more.
His body went rigid for the briefest moment, and Jenna panicked. He knew! He’d kissed her, and somehow he’d discovered the truth.
Frightened, she opened her eyes to find him studying her with a keen probing gaze, as if he was trying to see deep into her soul.
Chicken, he’d called her, and he was right. How could she have lost herself like this? How did it happen that she hadn’t told him the truth but was still i
n his arms?
Last chance, she thought. Last chance to hold him, because once she told him, he wouldn’t want to touch her ever again. Oh, she’d miss this. To be surrounded by his arms, to hear him groan at her touch.
For so long she’d been on her own, with no one to share her fears and secrets. She’d allowed no one close, not friends, not co-workers, no one.
Now she had this man, the man she’d loved since the first moment she’d seen him years before, and he wanted her. It felt so good to be held like this, so good that she became dizzy with the unexpected luxury of it.
“It’s all right,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her when her legs threatened to buckle. Tenderly, lightly, he nuzzled at her neck. “I’ve got you.”
And he did. She reveled in that, and in being able to count on him. She’d give anything to give that much back and have him accept what she could offer. Tell him. Tell him.
He kissed her again, a questing sensual kiss that had her mind floating along where nothing mattered except his mouth, his tongue, that thrilling low moan he made deep in his throat when she pressed closer.
His muffled oath had her jerking back, startled and dazed.
She leaned against the counter for support and concentrated on dragging air into her lungs. But even breathing didn’t dispel the memory of the pleasure he’d created when she’d been plastered against his heavenly, warm and gloriously hard body.
He hadn’t said a word, was probably horrified at how she’d flung herself at him. “I’m sorry,” she said, staring at her clenched fingers.
He was silent.
Her new determination to face life directly made a mockery of her. Chin up, she looked at him. “I don’t know what came over—Stone?”
Braced against the wall, he was white and visibly trembling.
“See?” she demanded, rushing to him to support him the best she could. “You see? Dammit, I told you. A doctor. Now.”
There was a smile in his voice and surprising strength in his arm as he wrapped it around her, careful to keep her to the side of him, away from his clearly aching middle. “No, no doctor. I’m fine, but I’m enjoying this bossy side of you, so please feel free to continue yelling at me while I catch my breath.”
“You’re impossible,” she said, bewildered by him as she led him to a chair. Dumping the files on it to the floor, she gently pushed him down and put her hands on her hips. “Tell me where your phone is or I’ll...”
“You’ll what?” He was clearly enjoying himself despite his pain. “You’ll kiss me again?”
He looked so hopeful, while at the same time so dreadfully miserable, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He’d broken out in a sweat, his eyes were glassy with pain and she had no idea what to do.
“Stone.” Jenna sank to her knees before him, unable to stop herself from hovering. “Please. You’re hurt.”
Taking her hands in his, he shook his head.
“And stubborn as ever.”
Just as he narrowed his eyes in question, she realized her blunder. “What is it about men that make them this way?” she asked. “Like they know it all?”
“Fear.”
“Fear?”
Closing his eyes, he drew a careful breath. She tried to rise, but he held her hands tighter now, as if needing her closeness, and loving the feeling of being needed, she stayed. “Stone?”
“It was just a stupid accident,” he said, leaning his head back. He studied the ceiling. “One that could have cost me much more than wounded pride.”
She doubted it was only his pride hurting, but remained silent because she was certain she knew where this was going. Her heart started a heavy drumming in anticipation.
“I’m sitting here thinking that if I’d gotten myself killed,” he said, “where would that leave Sara?” He lifted his head and stared at her. “The thought terrifies me.”
Such emotion, such incredible love and perseverance. And if she’d never gone away, she could have had it from him, as well. But she had gone, and in doing so had cost him just about everything. “Your family?” she asked hoarsely.
“It’s complicated, but they’re not in the picture.”
She knew that, but had hoped beyond hope that it had been a terrible mistake, that his family hadn’t really been able to turn their backs on him and Sara. The way she had.
Guilt swamped her. Guilt and a regret so strong she could hardly speak. “I’m sorry, Stone.”
“You’re alone, too, so I know you understand what it’s like to worry about the future.”
She let out a harsh laugh. “Yeah, well, you don’t know the half of it.” He just looked at her steadily. “Well, maybe you do.”
“My tamily disowned me, not because I got a girl pregnant, but because they didn’t approve of her as a person. Doesn’t matter that I wanted to do the right thing, they still walked away from us. I was twenty then. It’s been ten years and they haven’t spoken to me since.”
“Oh, Stone.”
“It never fails to amaze me how they can keep Sara out of their lives.”
“How awful of them.” She touched him because she bad to. “And unforgiving.”
“They made their decision, and I made mine. I’m not sorry for that, but for Sara.” Sadness welled in those gray blue depths. Sadness and anger. “But I’ve been selfish,” he admitted. “Hoarding her. I should have pushed my family to change their mind. For her sake.”
She remembered his family. Wealthy snobs. She doubted they could be pushed to do anything. But as she looked at Stone, saw his grit and determination, she realized if anyone could change their minds, it would be him. “It’s not too late, Stone.”
In a sweet gesture that tugged at her already aching heart, he lifted her hands to his lips, kissed her knuckles. “What is it about you?” he wondered. “What is it that makes me want to bare my soul? That makes me want to get to know yours?” He played with her skin, using his teeth, making her shiver.
“Ah...” Difficult to think with his mouth on her. “Maybe it’s the fact I’ve thrown myself at you several times now?” She managed a feeble smile, feeling self-conscious and very unsure.
“It’s more than that and you know it.” Again that deep probing stare. “You feel it, too, or you wouldn’t have done all this. You wouldn’t have allowed me close. You’re a very private woman. You wouldn’t have chosen this building, even if it had been the only one available, unless you wanted to be near me.”
His directness was startling, and somehow, despite her embarrassment, refreshing. She did feel it, in a way she hadn’t expected. How long had it been since she’d had someone to care about? “Yes,” she admitted in a barely audible voice. “I wanted to be near you.” But I’m Jenna, she wanted to cry. I ruined your life once and I’m so afraid you won’t let me back in when I tell you the truth.
She had to tell him.
The phone rang, and she nearly screamed in frustration.
Stone sighed. “I have to get it. It might be Sara. But hold that thought.” He tried to rise and groaned, paling as he sank back into the chair.
Wanting to throw the phone out the window, Jenna whirled and searched for it. Now that she’d determined once and for all to come clean, the delay was killing her.
“Got it,” she muttered, handing the phone over, preparing to leave the room to give him privacy. The shock on his face held her captive.
“What is it?” She asked when he’d hung up. “Stone?”
He didn’t answer, and fear and horror slammed into her. “Sara?” she demanded hoarsely. “Is it Sara?”
“No. No,” he said quickly. “Not Sara. It’s my brother, Richard.” Dropping his hands to the arms of the chair, he attempted to rise, although he almost blacked out while domg it.
She set him gently back into the chair, which was a good thing because his heart was roaring in his ears, his pulse was racing, his vision was gray around the edges.
At her stricken look, he managed to say, �
�He was killed this morning. In a car accident. My father had his lawyer make the call.”
“Oh, Stone—”
“Richard’s dead.” Squeezing his eyes shut, he set his head in his hands. “Christ.” Grief and shock struck him at once, a bone-numbing sort of feeling where his body wouldn’t work but his mind whirled.
Richard, he thought, as fury and sadness nearly choked him. Gone. They’d let so much time go by, empty years without talking. Why hadn’t he tried harder, even though Richard had made it so clear he wanted nothing to do with him?
“I’m so sorry,” Cindy whispered, still hunkered between his spread legs, which were now trembling in spite of the fact she was holding him. “What can I do to help, Stone? Anything, just tell me.”
He hardly heard her, for he realized his worst nightmare was coming true.
He’d nearly gotten himself killed this morning, and just that quickly, Sara would have been an orphan. She had little enough family as it was; he was duty bound to let her know the rest of them.
Yet already, it was too late.
She never knew her mother. Now she would never know her uncle.
Life was short, and if he wanted to think about enjoying it ever again, he had to take care of Sara’s future. Now. Before something happened to the rest of it.
“Stone?” Cindy’s hands slid up his thighs, rested on his waist. “Let me help somehow. Please.”
He looked at her through the bleakness of his own misery. “Hold me,” he requested thickly, not waiting for her, but yanking her close. “Hold me and don’t let go.”
Jenna met Kristen that night in Kristen’s condo, which was everything Jenna had expected.
Perfect.
They were seated in the country kitchen, eating at a cute little oak table, surrounded by cream and pale blue accessories that Kristen had made. Cows and chickens and adorable little pigs animated the napkins. Jenna used a finger to wipe at a drop of tea she’d spilled on the bare wood. Glancing up with a horrified expression, she waited for Kristen to admonish her.